PORTLAND WINTER STORM SERVICES
All the info you need to survive city life this winter
Heading into the winter storm season, the City of Portland would like to remind residents of winter storm service and operations information.
SIDEWALK SNOW REMOVAL REGULATIONS
The City’s sidewalk snow removal ordinance requires residential owners to clear snow and ice abutting their property 18 hours after the end of a storm or when City crews finish their snow removal operations, whichever is later. Business owners must clear sidewalks by 12 hours following the storm.
The City may fine residential owners $75 for the first offense, $125 for the second offense in the same winter season, and $250 for any subsequent offense in the same winter season. The fines are greater for business owners. Additionally, should the City have to remove the snow and ice or arrange for its removal, they will charge the property owner for the cost of removal plus 10% for administration.
SNOW REMOVAL HELP
Elderly and disabled residents who need help with removing snow from sidewalks should contact the City’s Elder Services Department at 207-541-6620. They are also looking for volunteers willing to shovel snow for an elderly neighbor this winter.
Property owners must clear all sidewalks and sidewalk access ramps from snow and treat them for ice. It is required to clear a path of at least four feet wide. Do not push or dump snow from driveways and parking lots onto public access sidewalks and access ramps.
The Portland Fire Department asks for help to keep the city’s 1,460 fire hydrants clear of snow and ice. The City currently has 1,460 public hydrants. Also, Portland Public Works encourages residents to help. Consider clearing catch basins and storm drains to prevent flooding on their streets and in their driveways.
SAND & SALT PILE
The City’s residential sand and salt pile is located at the Little League parking lot at Payson Park. This sand and salt pile is for residential use only. Residents can take two 5-gallon pails at a time.
PARKING BANS DURING WINTER STORMS
All vehicles left on the street during a snow parking ban will be towed at the owner’s expense. Only cash, VISA, MasterCard, or Discover Card are accepted. No checks. The snow impound lot can be reached at 207-774-3025.
Residents and visitors can view parking ban alerts on the City’s website at www.portlandmaine.gov or sign up to receive email, text, and phone notices via the Stay Connected feature. The City can call a city-wide parking ban, a peninsula ban that covers the entire peninsula, or a yellow zone ban that covers the downtown district.
People can also receive parking ban updates by following City news on Twitter or Facebook. Motorists can call the parking ban hotline at 207-879-0300.
During a parking ban, the City of Portland allows overnight parking in designated snow ban parking lots. Find a list of approved lots on Portland’s website.
An important note to West End residents, the Reiche School parking lot on Clark Street is not available for snow ban parking. Illegal parking in the Reiche lot interrupts operations at the Reiche pool. Cars parked there during snow bans will be towed.
ON-STREET PARKING IN WINTER
If parking your car on the street, please park as close to the snowbank/curb as possible. Often people park several feet away from the curb to allow passengers to move in and out of the car easily. Parking the car in this manner shortens the width of the street by several feet. This makes it difficult for Portland snowplows to clear the street safely and emergency vehicles to respond quickly to a fire or medical emergency. If the street is impassable for an emergency vehicle, the vehicle blocking the street will be towed.
Please remember to observe the posted bi-monthly street maintenance signs, as those restrictions allow for cleanup operations following snowstorms.
Finally, be on the lookout for any emergency no parking signs that city crews may post following major snowstorms. These signs are only required to be posted 12 hours in advance.
WINTER STORM SERVICE HOTLINE
For customer service related to winter storm services or other winter operations, please call 207-874-8493. For sidewalk plowing concerns, please call 207-874-8793.
